Simple Sundays | Apple Walnut Delight Cake
I kissed my son goodnight with a tinge of sadness. He turned a year older today, and in another blink of an eye, I said goodbye to one more piece of his childhood. Seven years, and it flew by so fast. Too fast. Seven years of getting to know this little man, understanding his little heart of gold. I have found a sensitive soul, a thoughtful boy who surprises me with notes that read, “Hop you fell bettr” minutes after I tell him I woke up not feeling too well. A philosophical boy who compares Santa to angels. A compassionate child who thinks of my mom and says, If I could meet your mom, I would love her the same amount as you. Because I imagine she’s the same kind of niceness.
Well, my dear boy, I know she would love you, too.
The kids have been asking lots of questions lately about her. They yearn to know her better, to understand how she battled cancer, and who took care of us children. I told them how she loved to dance and joke around, how she was silly, and pretty cool to hang out with. I see a lot of my children in her. He has her heart of gold, she has her spirit and spunk. It seemed like a good time to make Apple Walnut Delight Cake again.
I’ve made it for you before, but I thought I would dig it from the archives. It’s always good, and even better when shared with friends. We packaged some up and walked some down the street, to our neighbors. I know she would have done the same.
Apple Walnut Delight Cake
Yield: Serves 8.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
If you have any allergies or aversions to nuts, by all means, omit the walnut, as I have here. The cake is just as wonderful without them.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar (I like to use 1 cup white granulated and 1 cup brown sugar)
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups sifted flour
1½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
3 cups chopped apples (Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, all work well. Combine varieties if you wish!)
1 cup walnuts (omit if desired, and increase apple quantity to 4 cups)Directions:
Preheat oven to 325° F. Butter and flour a 10 inch fluted cake pan or tube pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.
Sift flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; add gradually to sugar, butter and egg mixture until incorporated. Do not over mix.
Stir in apples, and walnuts.
Spoon into prepared cake pan. Bake at 325° for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Frost with glaze.
Glaze
Combine 1 cup of confectioners sugar with 1 Tbsp of lemon juice and 2 Tbsp milk.
This recipe for Apple Walnut Delight first appeared here on January 26, 2011.
That cake looks great, but it is your story that touched my heart. Perhaps it is this time of year, but I have found myself very sentimental too. I try to cherish all my time with my mom and I miss her mom all the time. Your son sounds like a sweet young man!
Oh, this gave me a tear in my eye about your mom. I know little Ryder said to me one day, how happy I’ll be when I go to heaven because I’ll see my brother. Children are amazing and innocent and yes enjoy every minute of every day. It goes so fast. This cake will give them one more memory.
Your rendition about love, memory and family ties tugged my heart. Love you and your sweet boy.
Oh, what a sweet boy and what a sweet relationship you have. I hope he looks back on these posts when he gets older.
This post just warms my heart! What a sweet son you have and I know that you cherish each and everyday with him, especially on his special day. I am sure your Mom is smiling from above and sending her love to you and your family. I remember this cake from your 1st post and it looks still as super delicious!!! Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!!
What a sweet post, Liren – definitely brought a smile to my face :). As for the cake, this is perfect for a simple Sunday treat. Wish I had a wedge to go with my afternoon coffee!
Happy birthday to your son. He sounds like the biggest sweetheart (just like his mom).
What a delightful little cake! Yes, it is indeed perfect as gifts for friends!
Your son is soooooo adorable. Don’t kids just melt your heart with the things they say and do? Happy birthday to your boy!
Loved the story. Made me think of my mother and some of the great desserts she made for us. QUESTION: Do you need to peel the apples?
liren replied: — October 8th, 2012 @ 12:02 pm
Hi Verna, thank you so much, I’m glad you loved the story and it reminded me of your mother. To answer your question, yes, I do peel the apples! Enjoy the cake!
What a sweet lovely boy. Happy birthday! Hope he had tons of fun with this delicious recipe.
What a beautiful story to go with a beautiful cake. I adore everything about apples….. and cake.
Liren, your posts are never just about food and I hope one day, your children realise what a treasury of love and beauty your blog really is.
Awww your son sounds gorgeous Liren. Happy birthday to him. And this cake looks divine. My husband would adore it as apple cake is his absolute favourite.